Vacuum Flush Power Steering?
No, that won't get air out of the entire system - but there is an easier way.
Jack both front wheels off the ground and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock with the engine off. This action tuns the steering rack into a manual pump where it sucks in clear fluid from the tank and pumps out the old (with any air bubbles) back up the return line.
^ If you want to flush the system, suck the fluid out of the tank with a turkey baster or ear wax cleaning bulb. Then unhook the return line and run it into a jug. Get a small piece of tubing and hook it up to the return nipple on the tank and tape the tube up so fluid stays in the reservoir. Fill with clean fluid and then perform the procedure above until fluid runs clear through the system. Drain the tank, hook up the hoses, fill, and then perform the procedure one more time to get rid of any air bubbles introduced by the final draining of the reservoir.
F-Bodies are very sensitive to dirty P/S fluid, so its important to flush. I recommend at least every 75K miles to prevent the tank from boiling over.
Jack both front wheels off the ground and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock with the engine off. This action tuns the steering rack into a manual pump where it sucks in clear fluid from the tank and pumps out the old (with any air bubbles) back up the return line.
^ If you want to flush the system, suck the fluid out of the tank with a turkey baster or ear wax cleaning bulb. Then unhook the return line and run it into a jug. Get a small piece of tubing and hook it up to the return nipple on the tank and tape the tube up so fluid stays in the reservoir. Fill with clean fluid and then perform the procedure above until fluid runs clear through the system. Drain the tank, hook up the hoses, fill, and then perform the procedure one more time to get rid of any air bubbles introduced by the final draining of the reservoir.
F-Bodies are very sensitive to dirty P/S fluid, so its important to flush. I recommend at least every 75K miles to prevent the tank from boiling over.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 51
Likes: 15
Thank you, I should have been more clear - I'm actually looking to flush the system, not bleed it. Just got an '02 that needs some love, and I'm working my way through fluid. Oil and Coolant are done, and power steering is next. I've read about having 2 other people to help flush with the engine on, but that seems complicated and risky to introducing air. I started trying the method of sucking out the steering fluid, replacing and driving around the block, then repeating, until it is clear, but after 3 cycles with no change in the fluid color, I'm looking for other options.
I'll try lifting the front end and turning the wheel with the engine off, that sounds like what I'm looking for.
I'll try lifting the front end and turning the wheel with the engine off, that sounds like what I'm looking for.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 513
Likes: 54
Banned
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 513
Likes: 54
Go read the link in post #4......
I like the engine running so the pump is creating pressure and cleaning out the old fluid MUCH BETTER than a ridiculous turkey baster that absolutely cannot get it all out.......
Now you tell us all why the pump running with real pressure actually doesn't work better than your turkey baster or your ear wax cleaner........LOL
It makes no difference if the engine is on or off. With the engine off, the rack works as the pump. Its very basic hydraulics. The same fluid will be moved through the system, irregardless of the pressure. The only real differences are that running the engine greatly increases the chance that the p/s pump will run dry and be damaged. The faster process with the engine running also wastes more clean fluid.
Last edited by wssix99; Oct 20, 2020 at 07:24 AM.
